Beverly Hills High School Graduation Celebrates Class of 2025

The Class of 2025 proudly celebrating during their graduation ceremony at Beverly Hills High School.

News Summary

Beverly Hills High School held a memorable graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 on Nickoll Field, celebrating the achievements of approximately 310 graduates. Principal Drew Stewart gave a heartfelt farewell, while community leaders praised the students’ resilience amidst challenges. The event featured inspiring speeches from fellow graduates, emphasizing dreams, support, and the meaningful experiences shared during their high school journey. The ceremony concluded with the traditional turning of the tassels, marking the graduates’ transition to new beginnings.

Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 on May 30, honoring approximately 310 graduates who celebrated their academic achievements on Nickoll Field. The theme of the ceremony, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” underscored the importance of aspiring for greatness while remaining true to one’s values.

As the graduates entered the field, many displayed their chosen colleges on their graduation caps, waving enthusiastically at friends, family members, and attendees. The BHHS Band performed the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” as students took their seats, setting a festive tone for the event.

Principal Drew Stewart, who has dedicated nearly eight years to the BHHS community, opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to attendees and the graduating class. In a significant announcement, he shared that he would be stepping down as principal, a decision made earlier in May. Stewart expressed pride in the Class of 2025, praising their hard work, dedication, and commitment throughout their high school years. He also recognized the pivotal role that BHUSD staff and board members played in supporting the students.

The ceremony included notable attendees such as BHUSD board members led by President Rachelle Marcus, Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, Mayor Sharona Nazarian, and City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey. Marcus delivered a speech highlighting the talents and potential of the graduating class, referring to them as “the stars of our future.” She likened the stars to the students’ ambitions, the ground to their core beliefs, and the tent to the critical support provided by their community.

The Class of 2025 faced a myriad of challenges during their high school journey, including adjusting to a new campus and changes in bell schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a demonstration following the 2024 presidential election resulted in controversy, leading to litigation and allegations of racial harassment. The BHHS district also experienced significant leadership changes in the semester leading up to graduation. Amid these obstacles, the graduating seniors applauded each other for their perseverance and resilience.

Student Body President Sabrina Niku encouraged her classmates to dream big while remaining grounded and adaptable to the changes and challenges they encountered. The ceremony featured speeches from fellow graduates Sarah Zhang, Aunaleah Ellis, and Ruby Matenko-Lowenstein, enhancing the sense of community and shared experiences among the graduates. Zhang remarked on the “Noble Norman values” instilled at BHHS, which have served as guiding principles throughout their education. Ellis emphasized the importance of mutual support among peers, while Matenko-Lowenstein reflected on the transitions marked by school bells in their lives, reminding graduates that they are now on individual paths.

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments, signifying the collective effort of staff and educators in fostering a supportive learning environment. The ceremony concluded with the traditional turning of the tassels, symbolizing the graduates’ transition from high school to the next stage of their lives. This moment served as a poignant reminder of the lasting friendships, mentors, and life lessons that each student acquired during their time at Beverly Hills High School.